Magically Spooky

ABFriday’s monthly One Photo Focus!

I’ve taken on the ABFriday’s monthly One Photo Focus challenge. The participants in this challenge post-process the same image and share it on the One Photo Focus Forum.

I’d like to improve my post-processing skills; so hopefully, this challenge will be fun and educational.

Before Photo

Anping Treehouse, Tainan, Taiwan
by Helen Chen — HHC Blog

After Photo

My initial goal was to make the building seem a little spooky and a little magical. I decided to try the MacPhum’s Creative Kit 2016 (which I just received).

First, I used the moderate filter in Noiseless to reduce some of the noise around the edges. Then, I played around with the filters in the FX Photo Studio. I used three filters to get the effect I was trying to achieve: Glow Vivid Color, Midway & Posterize. Next, I used Snapheal to remove the tree limb that was hanging over the door. Then, I darkened the inside of the building and added some magical colors to the floor by the entrance. Finally, I boosted the light just a little using the Fotor app. (This is the photo I submitted for the challenge.)

Version 2

Originally, I wanted to included purple tones in the photo to make it seem more spooky. I played around with several filters trying to get the right atmosphere for the photo. I liked this version with the purple trees and the blue-green shadows. I think it looks magical or maybe like a forgotten fairy house. I used the Alien Skin filter in FX Photo Studio to achieve this look.

Which version do you like the best? What’s your favorite software for post-processing?